REP LIEU’S BILL TO PREVENT FENTANYL OVERDOSES MOVES THROUGH HOUSE

WASHINGTON D.C. - On Wednesday, June 25, bipartisan legislation designed to prevent fentanyl overdoses in the United States was included in a Health Subcommittee markup. Introduced by Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), Tyler's Law requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to complete a study on how frequently hospitals test for fentanyl when a patient is experiencing an overdose. Based on these results, the bill instructs the HHS to issue guidance to hospitals on implementing fentanyl testing in emergency rooms.

Still to this day, many emergency rooms do not include fentanyl in their drug screenings. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that does not show up on most rapid drug testing, which typically only includes marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP). According to the HHS, fentanyl-related deaths have skyrocketed 103-fold in the United States from 1999-2023. Adding fentanyl testing to emergency room drug screenings could save countless lives.

Tyler's Law is named in memory of Tyler Shamash, a 19-year-old boy who died following a fentanyl ingestion in 2018. He was not tested for fentanyl after being brought to the hospital with a suspected overdose. His mother, Juli, is an advocate for this legislation and is sharing Tyler's story to prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy.

"When Tyler died from fentanyl poisoning at age 19, our family learned that standard hospital toxicology screens often do not test for fentanyl. No family should lose a loved one because this dangerous substance goes undetected. The advancement of Tyler's Law is an important step toward improving awareness of fentanyl testing practices and saving lives. I am deeply grateful to Congressman Ted Lieu and the bipartisan supporters of this legislation for helping turn our family's tragedy into meaningful change," said Tyler's mother, Juli.

"Fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States. Tyler's Law could help change that," said Congressman Lieu. "That's why I am pleased that this essential and commonsense legislation is advancing through the House. It is an honor and privilege to work with Tyler's mom, Juli, to help better equip our doctors and hospitals to prevent fentanyl-related deaths. Tyler's Law is an important step to ensuring no other family experiences such devastating loss."

Tyler's Law is supported by American College of Emergency Physicians, Emergency Nurses Association, AIDS United, The National Drug & Alcohol Screening Association, The Partnership for a Healthy Iowa, Facing Fentanyl, Voices for Awareness, Project Eli, Song for Charlie, End Overdose, High Truths on Drugs and Addiction, Sun Shine on You Foundation, Drug Awareness Foundation, VOID, Crime Stoppers of Houston, Victoria's Voice, and Stop Drug Homicide.

READ THE FULL BILL TEXT HERE